Nor tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear before speaking. “We cannot let the resistance continue to thwart our efforts. So we are going to bring their most precious member under our control.”

“Andi,” Gilly breathed.

Nor gave her a sly grin. “Correct. That is why I called you here. We need to find another way to draw Androma to us.”

“But how do we do that when she knows we are loyal to you?” Lira asked, brow raised.

Their queen stepped up to her, arm outstretched. She placed one long, nimble finger under Lira’s blue chin. Nor smiled again, but this time, it was menacing.

“We will have to do something she cannot ignore.”

“What do you have in mind?” Breck asked from beside Lira, arms crossed.

Nor dropped her arm and stepped back, scanning each of them. Her eyes were sharp, even through her pain. So strong. So powerful.

Lira would do anything for this woman.

Anything.

Nor smiled sweetly. “I am going to kill one of you.”

CHAPTER 26

DEX

“You coming in?” Soyina asked, raising a tattooed brow at Dex. They had made their way through the maze of caverns to Klaren’s office, which now stood before them behind closed doors. Apparently that initial meeting in the cave business had just been for theatrics after all.

Andi straightened up, swords strapped over her back as if she were preparing for battle. Dex would have very much preferred to be on full alert like her, but such a task was proving itself difficult, as he was currently nursing a wicked hangover.

“Strange,” Soyina said, looking at Andi and then back at Dex. “You used to be able to handle your Griss a little better, Arez. Getting soft in your old age?”

Dex not-so-casually scratched his nose with his middle finger. “Just let us into the spider’s lair, Soyina.”

“As you wish,” she said cryptically, opening the iron door for them and striding away.

“You look like you’ve just barely survived a war,” Andi murmured, coming up beside him, playing with her messy braid.

Dex shrugged. “Technically, I have,” he said quietly. “I survived a crash landing, an ice dragon attack and, scariest of all, the new General of Arcardius. And let me tell you, she’s positively terrifying.”

Andi hummed. “Always glad to keep you on your toes. But I’m warning you now—if you keep anything from me again, I’ll throw you into a deep, dark dungeon.”

“A dungeon? I hope it’s the fun kind.” Dex winked.

“Very fun.” Andi smiled, running a finger across his chest. “I find immense pleasure in your pain.”

A shiver of apprehension ran up his spine. “You scare me sometimes,” Dex said honestly.

“Good. Now come on.”

Together they slipped inside.